Diego Tardelli: Returning to Atlético Mineiro will be difficult

Al-Gharafa striker Diego Tardelli has admitted that it will be difficult to return to his former club Atlético Mineiro and has vowed to see out his contract at the Qatari club.

Tardelli, 27, enjoyed a successful spell in Belo Horizonte between 2009 and 2011 before moving to Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, however after failing to adapt the former São Paulo striker headed to the Middle East last January.

“The most important thing is that I did a good job, that they miss me and I miss them,” he told TV Alterosa.

“But I advocate a team, I'm a professional and I have to fulfil my contract. To return to Atletico is not an easy thing, if I could go back I would, but it is not easy.”

Tardelli, who has openly expressed his desire to move back to his former club, explained that the Al-Gharafa board are keen to keep the player in Qatar, where he has a contract until mid 2014.